Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
  • A01G9/14—Greenhouses
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/344—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
  • E04B1/3442—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts folding out from a core cell
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K3/00—Pasturing equipment, e.g. tethering devices; Grids for preventing cattle from straying; Electrified wire fencing
  • A01K3/001—Portable, temporary, and collapsible fencing for pastures
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D88/00—Large containers
  • B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
  • B65D88/12—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport
  • B65D88/127—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport open-sided container, i.e. having substantially the whole side free to provide access, with or without closures
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D88/00—Large containers
  • B65D88/52—Large containers collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
  • B65D88/522—Large containers collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected all side walls hingedly connected to each other or to another component of the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D90/02—Wall construction
  • B65D90/023—Modular panels
  • B65D90/026—Parallel slats
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D90/02—Wall construction
  • B65D90/04—Linings
  • B65D90/046—Flexible liners, e.g. loosely positioned in the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D90/12—Supports
  • B65D90/14—Legs, e.g. detachable
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/34336—Structures movable as a whole, e.g. mobile home structures
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/34384—Assembling details for foldable, separable, collapsible or retractable structures
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/344—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts
  • E04B1/3442—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts folding out from a core cell
  • E04B1/3444—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport with hinged parts folding out from a core cell with only lateral unfolding
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/34315—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport characterised by separable parts
  • E04B1/34317—Set of building elements forming a self-contained package for transport before assembly
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
  • E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
  • E04B1/34336—Structures movable as a whole, e.g. mobile home structures
  • E04B1/34352—Base structures or supporting means therefor
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
  • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
  • E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
  • E04H2001/1283—Small buildings of the ISO containers type
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
  • Y02A40/25—Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Definitions

• This invention relates to a structure which can be stored and transported in a compact mode and which, at an installation site, can be erected to provide an enclosure, a shelter, a reservoir or the like.
• the invention provides a structure which includes a container which forms a housing and, mounted to the housing, a plurality of walls which are pivotally interconnected and which are movable between a compact stored configuration and an extended operative configuration.
• the invention provides a structure which includes a container which forms a housing of parallelepiped form with a longitudinal axis and with a base, a roof, first and second sides, first and second ends, and first, second, third and fourth corners located respectively at junctions of the first side and first end, first end and second side, second side and second end, and second end and first side, first, second, third and fourth support arrangements located respectively at the first, second, third and fourth corners, each support arrangement respectively including an elongate member with an upper end which is fixed to the roof and a lower end which is fixed to the base, a cylinder, a hinge mechanism which secures the cylinder to the elongate member and which permits the cylinder to be moved between an operative position at which the cylinder is displaced from the corner and a storage position at which the cylinder is retracted to the corner, and a piston, telescopically connected to the cylinder, which is actuable with the cylinder in the operative position to extend downwardly from the cylinder
• a container which
• the structure may include a second wall which is generally rectangular in outline and which has a lower horizontal edge, an upper horizontal edge, a first vertical edge and a second vertical edge, and a second pivotal connection which connects the first vertical edge to the outer vertical edge of the first wall whereby the second wall is pivotally movable about the second pivotal connection relative to the first wall between a first position at which the second wall is generally adjacent the first wall and a second position at which the second wall extends transversely to the first wall.
• the structure of the invention may be employed, as indicated, in various ways, for example to provide an enclosure, a shelter, a reservoir or the like. Two or more of the structures may be employed in combination and the respective walls of the structures may be interconnected in any appropriate way to enclose a defined area.
• the structure of the invention may include third and fourth walls which are secured via a respective support arrangement and a pivotal connection, similar to what has been described, to the fourth corner i.e. on the same side of the container as the first and second walls. Also, if required, additional similar walls can be provided on the second side.
• the first wall and the second wall are used to form at least part of an enclosure which bounds a ground area and the structure may then include a roof component which is formed from sheet material which is fixed, at least, to the upper horizontal edges of the first and second walls and which overlies, and which is spaced from, the ground area.
• a roof component which is formed from sheet material which is fixed, at least, to the upper horizontal edges of the first and second walls and which overlies, and which is spaced from, the ground area.
• Use may additionally be made of a mast or similar support structure to keep the sheet material at an elevated position.
• One or more floor elements or panels may be fixed to the walls and may be deployed e.g. by pivotal action into ground-engaging contact in order to overlie and be supported by the ground area.
• One or more floor elements or panels may be fixed to the walls and may be deployed e.g. by pivotal action into ground-engaging contact in order to overlie and be supported by the ground area.
• When the walls are moved between storage and deployed positions use may be made of level sensors to ensure that each wall is correctly orientated relative to the ground.
• An important benefit of the invention is that the respective elongate member, provided at each corner of the housing, is fixed between the roof and base in a load-transferring manner. These members are sized so that they can transfer significant loads - a feature which enables containers of a number of similar structures to be stacked one on the other for transport or storage purposes.
• the long sides of a conventional shipping container add substantial rigidity to the container particularly between a floor and a roof of the container.
• the material normally used on a side of a shipping container is replaced by the walls referred to. Consequently when that material is removed, the roof, in particular, is not well- supported. The roof can therefore be flimsy and if the container is moved the container can deform.
• the first wall when the first wall is moved to the storage position referred to it is designed to re-engage, directly or indirectly, with the base and the roof and to provide support for these components so that the container is both firm and rigid enough to be moved, lifted and transported, without fear of deformation.
• substantial pressure may be generated by a liquid at a base of each wall. This pressure can distort the wall.
• different bracing mechanisms are employed. One technique makes use of a flap on an inner side, and a flap on an outer side, of the wall, at the base thereof. Each flap is pivoted down to rest on the ground when the wall is erected.
• a fluid-impervious liner is placed over the inner flap, abutting an adjacent wall surface, to form a liquid enclosure.
• the wall can nonetheless distort due to the force of the liquid. If a solid hinge connection is used between each flap and the wall then the hinge connection could be bent by the force.
• a steel cable is employed as a hinge pin. The cable bends under load but, when the liquid is emptied from the enclosure, the cable can take up its original shape. Also, to a substantial extent, through appropriate design, the wall and the flaps are not adversely affected and do not bend materially.
• Cables or other retention members can be anchored directly or indirectly to lower edges of the walls e.g. via the inner flaps referred to, spanning an area enclosed by the walls in order to brace the walls against liquid forces.
• Flexible sheet material can be connected to the walls to make a roof. Preferably this material has a bead along its periphery which is positioned in a shaped, undercut channel retention device. The retention device is effectively permanently attached to the sheet material via the bead. When the roof is erected each retention device is hooked or otherwise easily attached to an upper edge of a wall - in this way a roof can be erected rapidly.
• adjustable supports are used.
• closure members can be used to obscure gaps between the lower horizontal edge of a wall and an opposing ground surface.
• Each closure member may be attached in a hinged manner to a lower region of a wall. Apart therefrom the closures can be used to brace the walls, particularly if a reservoir is to be made.
• boundary walls may be interconnected by means of partitioning to provide smaller rooms or enclosures inside the boundary walls. Reticulation for communications and electrical and other services may be provided within or on the walls.
• Each wall may be made from inner and outer skins with bracing components between. This type of construction is rigid yet light in weight.
• the use of the structure of the invention is not limited for it may be adapted to be used as a centre to house electrical equipment, for housing of personnel, to act as a hospital theatre, for food storage or kitchen purposes, or the like.
• Another application is to attach to the walls a roof of a transparent material so that an underlying volume can be used as a greenhouse.
• the walls may then also be wholly or partly transparent.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truck which carries a container used for making a structure according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows the container of Figure 1 detached from the truck
• Figure 3 is a simplified plan view of the truck and structure in Figure 1 illustrating the arrangement of certain components inside the container
• Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 illustrating how support arrangements in the container are deployed
• Figure 5 is a perspective view showing how walls can be extended from the container in Figure 2
• Figure 6 shows in perspective an enclosure formed from two containers each of which is used substantially in the manner shown in Figure 5,
• Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a wall used to define part of the enclosure of Figure 5, in the process of erection,
• Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7 but showing the wall in cross-section once erected
• Figure 9 depicts detail of a support arrangement - a substantially similar support arrangement is located at each respective corner of the container,
• Figure 10 is a side view of a container
• Figure 1 1 depicts in cross-section a possible construction of a wall which is used in the structure of the invention
• Figures 12 and 13 depict support techniques for walls, of the structure, while being moved
• Figures 14 and 15 depict a wall which is constructed with an attached floor section or panel
• Figures 16 to 19 illustrate aspects relating to the erection of a roof on the structure
• Figures 20 to 22 show support techniques which can be used when the structure is employed in the construction of a reservoir.
• Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a mechanical horse 10 with a low- bed trailer 12 which carries a structure 14 according to the invention.
• the structure is based on the use of a container 16 which is substantially the same as a conventional shipping container.
• the container 16 comprises a housing 20 of parallelepiped form.
• the container has a longitudinal axis 22, a base 24, a roof 26, first and second sides 28 and 30 respectively, first and second ends 32 and 34 respectively, and first, second, third and fourth corners 36 to 42 respectively - see Figures 2, 3 and 4 as well.
• the corners are respectively located at junctions of the first side and first end, first end and second side, second side and second end, and second end and first side.
• the structure includes, adjacent the first side 28, first and second walls 52 and 54 respectively and third and fourth walls 56 and 58 respectively.
• Each wall is rectangular in outline with opposed lower and upper horizontal edges, and opposed vertical edges.
• Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the support arrangement 44.
• these support arrangements are identical to one another although minor differences are made to facilitate implementation of the principles of the invention.
• Each support arrangement includes a respective elongate support member 60 of substantial dimensions.
• the support member has an upper end 62 which is fixed to the roof 26 and a lower end 64 which is fixed to the base or floor 24 of the container.
• a conventional shipping container has securing lugs or lock blocks 66 at each of its corners. These are important structural components for they allow the container to be fixed in position on a truck - an aspect which is essential for safe transport of the container. Additionally these lock blocks act as load-bearing and load-transferring elements which allow a number of containers to be stacked one on the other. Again this is an important aspect given the fact that a container, when fully loaded, can have a mass of many tons.
• the resulting container would not include at least one conventional side structure i.e. where the walls 52 to 58 are positioned and the container, along this side, would be significantly weakened. It is important therefore that provision should be made to impart rigidity and load-bearing characteristics to the container.
• the support arrangements are designed to achieve, at least, this purpose.
• the elongate member 60 has a substantial load-bearing capability and is positioned, as noted, with opposed ends abutting the upper and lower load-bearing lock blocks 66 at the respective comer of the container.
• the elongate member is made in the form of a circular shaft so that it can act as a hinge pin for a cylinder and piston arrangement 68, and as a hinge pin to the particular wall which is directly connected to it.
• the cylinder and piston arrangement 68 is mounted in a tube 70.
• a number of steel leaves 72 extend from the tube to the elongate member. These leaves are pivotally connected to the elongate member by respective bushes 72A and are rotatable to a limited extent around the elongate member 60 which acts as a hinge pin.
• the cylinder and piston arrangement 68, mounted inside the tube 70, is in the nature of a ram comprising a piston 74 which extends from a cylinder 74A and which is actuable hydraulically so that a lower end 74B of the piston can extend downwardly into ground-engaging contact, as is shown in Figure 2.
• Each wall has a number of bushes 80 which are connected in a rotatable manner to the elongate member.
• Figure 3 shows the container in plan.
• the elongate members at the corners of the container are designated, respectively, 60A, 60B, 60C and 60D.
• Each elongate member is within the confines of a boundary line 82 formed by outer sides and ends of the container, viewed in plan.
• the structure of the invention in a storage mode does not extend outside the normal dimensional boundaries of a conventional shipping container.
• the wall 56 is connected to the elongate member 60A by means of hinge bushes 80, as shown in Figure 9.
• the wall 52 is connected to the elongate member 60D - this is along what is referred to as an inner vertical edge 84 of the wall.
• the wall 52 is connected to a pivotal arrangement 87.
• the second wall 54 has a first vertical edge 88 which is connected to the pivotal arrangement 87 and an opposed second vertical edge 90 which is anchored in position so that, in the storage mode shown in plan in Figure 3, the wall 54 is adjacent and substantially parallel to the wall 52 and to the longitudinal axis 22 of the container.
• the leaves 72 which connect the tube 70 to the respective elongate member have a radial dimension which enables the tube to be moved from the storage position shown in Figure 3 to an operative position shown in Figure 4.
• the tube In the storage position the tube is within the dimensional boundaries (82) of the container, viewed in plan. This means that each tube does not interfere with movement, transport and storage of the container.
• the tube can be swung to the operative position shown in Figure 4 at which the tube is displaced to be outside the dimensional boundary (82) of the container.
• the respective ram inside the tube can be actuated so that the lower end 74B of the piston inside the tube 70 can be extended downwardly into ground-engaging contact as shown in Figure 2.
• the wall 52 is on an "outer" side of the corresponding elongate member 60D. This allows the walls 52 and 54 to be positioned close to the side 28.
• the wall 56 is however on what may be referred to as an "inner" side of the corresponding elongate member 60A, i.e. it is displaced laterally to one side. This construction allows the walls 56 and 58, which are interconnected by a pivot arrangement 94, to be positioned close to, yet adjacent and not interfering in any way with, the walls 52 and 54.
• the corresponding tube 70A is shown in Figure 3 in a storage position i.e. more or less aligned with the walls 52 and 54.
• a storage position i.e. more or less aligned with the walls 52 and 54.
• the tube is moved to an operative position as shown in Figure 4 the tube is moved through about 90° so that it extends radially from the elongate member - note that the opposing tube 70D moves through approximately 180° when it is moved between operative and storage positions.
• An important aspect of the invention thus lies in the provision of an elongate member (60), at each respective corner of the container, which serves a number of functions.
• the elongate member acts as a hinge pin for the support arrangement at the corner and as a hinge pin for the respective wall which is attached directly to it.
• the elongate member has sufficient strength so that it can act as a load-transferring member between the roof and base of the container.
• the support arrangements 44 to 50 are moved so that they are spaced sufficiently far apart, as shown in Figure 4, so that each respective piston can be extended, hydraulically, into ground-engaging contact.
• the housing of the container can then be elevated and the low bed trailer, shown in Figure 1 , can be driven away. Thereafter the container can be lowered to rest on the ground.
• the support arrangements 44 to 50 are extended and the low bed trailer is then manoeuvred so that it underlies the container. As the support arrangements are retracted the container housing settles onto the low bed trailer.
• Figure 5 illustrates in perspective the housing 20 once it has been placed on the ground and the support arrangements 44 to 50 have been retracted.
• the walls 52 and 54 are respectively pivoted about the elongate member 60D and the pivot connection 87 into positions at which they extend outwardly from the housing and at which the walls are no longer parallel to one another.
• the walls 56 and 58 are deployed to radially extending positions.
• an opposing side of the container viewed in plan, could have, in a similar way, four walls which are radially deployed in opposing directions to what are shown in Figure 5.
• each container could be deployed generally in the manner shown in Figure 5 to achieve different polygonal structures.
• the invention is thus not limited by the number of sides in a structure which can be erected.
• Figure 6 illustrates a situation in which two housings designated 20A and 20B respectively are positioned opposing each other. Four walls are extended from each housing. Extremities 98 and 98A of the extending sets of walls are connected to each other to form a ten- sided enclosure 100.
• Figure 7 shows a typical wall 102 from one side and in cross-section. The wall carries a first strut 104 in a hinged arrangement which can be pivoted downwardly from the position shown in Figure 7, to a ground-engaging and bracing position shown in Figure 8. The strut is located on an outer side 102A of the wall 102. On an inner side 102B close to a lower end of the wall a small flap 106 is positioned.
• the flap 106 is one of a number of similar flaps some of which are optionally made from rubber or smooth sheet metal, for example.
• the flaps extend along the length of the wall so that the flaps can generally follow the contours of the ground on which the wall is located.
• the wall may not be generally level or flat and the flaps can thus to a substantial extent close gaps which might otherwise exist between a lower end of the wall and the opposing ground surface.
• a conventional shipping container has substantial rigidity. If that type of container is adapted to be used as a container for making a structure according to the present invention, then the wall structure on one side of the container is removed.
• Figure 10 illustrates from one side a container 16 according to the invention which includes support arrangements 44 to 50 as described.
• the wall 52 extends from the end 34 to the end 32 over practically the full length of the container. This wall obscures the inner walls 54, 56 and 58.
• the wall 52 is supported, in this instance, at the left end. If the wall is moved away from between the roof 26 and the base 24 then, due to the mass of the structure, the roof and the base can sag down, as shown by arrows 06 and 106A.
• braces can be positioned at a number of locations as appropriate.
• Figure 9 shows that the bushes 80 which connect the wall 56 to the elongate member 60A are positioned on the elongate member 60A above the bushes 72A which connect the support arrangement 68 to the elongate member 60A. In fact there is a substantial amount of play 1 10, as high as 150mm, between these components. Thrust washers 112 are provided between opposing surfaces of adjacent bushes 80 and 72A. In practice when the support arrangement is actuated the bushes 72A move along the elongate member 60A and then firmly contact the respective thrust washers 112 which are driven into tight engagement with undersides of the respective bushes 80.
• the force which is transmitted lifts the walls 56 and 58 along the elongate member 60A until upper sides of the walls nearly contact an underside of the roof.
• the full weight of the wall is thereby transferred to the support arrangement and is not carried by the remainder of the container.
• This allows the walls 56 and 58 to be disengaged from the base 24 and the roof 26.
• the walls can be disengaged from the braces 108 shown in Figure 10 and can be swung out, as necessary, to deployed positions e.g. as shown in Figure 5.
• the container should be made from a lightweight material such as aluminium. Those portions of the container which are required to exhibit significant load-bearing characteristics i.e. the support arrangements and the elongate members are however made from appropriate steel.
• a double skin structure of the kind shown in Figure 1 1. This Figure illustrates part of the wall 52 in cross-section.
• the wall has an outer skin 52A, an inner skin 52B and a number of bracing components 52D which are strategically positioned between the inner and outer skins and which are designed to space the skins apart so that a beam-type arrangement results.
• Figure 12 shows two walls 52, 54 at a comer of the container 16.
• the two walls are initially pivoted jointly outwardly about a vertical axis 114 which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the respective elongate support member 60, at that corner.
• the walls have substantial dimensions and a reasonable weight and, to assist in this regard, hydraulic cylinders 116 are actuated to bring wheels 118 into ground-engaging contact.
• the wheels provide a means which supports the walls as they are moved to their desired positions.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a different type of support 120 which can be used when the wall 52 is to be pivoted relative to the container.
• a small trolley 124 which has spaced sets of wheels 126 has a locating formation 128 on an upper surface.
• a piston rod 130 is extended a lower end of the rod is engaged with the locating formation 128.
• two stabilisers 132, 134 which may be either rods or cables are connected between respective ends of the trolley and the wall 52. This arrangement is capable of taking the load of the wall and additionally helps to restrict flexing of the wall 52 as it is being moved.
• Figures 14 and 15 show a floor structure 136 which can be used to cover an area of ground which is enclosed by a number of walls.
• the floor structure includes a floor panel 38 which is attached at a longitudinal edge to a respective wall 52 by means of an appropriate hinge 1 0.
• the floor panel is folded into ground-engaging contact - see Figure 5. A number of these structures are used for complete ground coverage.
• FIGS 16 to 19 show aspects of a shelter 148 made from the structure of the invention.
• a plurality of walls 150 are erected to form an enclosure on the ground.
• a mast 152 which is tubular, is held in a vertical orientation by means of a number of stay wires 154.
• the mast is centrally positioned within the enclosure formed by the walls.
• the mast has an upper end 156 and terminates at a lower end in a hemispherical formation 158 which is positioned inside a large, upwardly facing, dish-shaped formation 160 which is at an upper end of a peg 162 which is embedded in the ground.
• a catch 164 is fixed to the mast near an upper end.
• the catch is spring-loaded so that it is biased outwardly, away from the mast in the direction of an arrow 166.
• the catch has a downwardly facing inclined surface 168 and a transverse, flat upper surface 170.
• a flexible lead (not shown), extends inside the mast from the catch to a lever which is near ground level.
• a locating member 172 see Figure 18, is slidably engaged with the mast.
• the locating member has a sleeve 174 which bears closely yet slidably against an outer surface of the mast and which thus acts to some extent as a seal.
• a disc 176 is attached to the sleeve.
• the disc includes a number of holes or equivalent anchor formations.
• Flexible sheet material 180 is fixed to the disc and surrounds the mast 152.
• the sheet material has a periphery 184 which is attached more or less in a leak-proof manner to upper edges of the walls.
• the sheet material comprises at least two layers of material namely, a relatively large area, upper layer 180A, and a smaller area, lower layer 80B.
• the upper layer is fixed to the disc.
• the lower layer 180B is fixed to a ring 186 which is below the locating member and which is connected to the locating member by means of cables (not shown).
• An air blower or fan 190 optionally forms part of the system. The blower may be fixed to one of the walls 150, if required.
• the blower When the blower is actuated it introduces air under pressure into a volume 192 below the sheet material. The air in this volume is contained to a substantial extent and thereby is pressurised, forcing the sheet material to move upwardly. Air can pass through the lower layer 180B but not through the upper layer 180A which thus rises with its movement being guided by the locating mast 152.
• the member 172 strikes the catch 164 it rides over the inclined surface 168. The catch is moved inwardly against the biasing action of the spring which is attached to it.
• the locating member 172 at an uppermost position, comes to rest on the relatively flat surface 170 of the catch.
• the layer 180A is then suspended from the locating member substantially in the form of a tent and forms a roof over the area enclosed by the walls.
• the lower layer 180B is also elevated by means of the cables to a position at which the lower layer 80B acts as a ceiling over the enclosed area. [0055] To the extent which may be necessary air can flow into an interior of the tubular mast or out of the mast through various apertures which are formed through a wall of the mast.
• Figure 18 also illustrates a cover 200 which fits over an upper end of the mast for aesthetic and weather proofing purposes.
• the catch 164 When the flexible sheet material is to be lowered the catch 164 is operated by a cable. The catch is then drawn inwardly and disengages from the locating member 172. The sheet material 180 then settles downwardly under gravity action and air is expelled, as required, through the various apertures upwardly through an interior of the mast to atmosphere.
• the double layer of sheet material (180A, 180B) and the air blower 190 are not used.
• a single sheet of material is, instead, raised on the mast to an elevated position using a crank or pulley system.
• Figure 19 illustrates an effective way in which the flexible sheet material 180 can be attached to the walls 150.
• the sheet material 180 has a cord or rope 202 enclosed in a seamed peripheral section so that along a periphery 204 of the sheet material a continuous bead 206 is formed. Attached to this bead are a number of extrusions 208.
• Each extrusion 208 has an undercut channel formation 210 and the bead referred to can be slid into engagement with the channel in a longitudinal direction.
• the extrusion may be relatively short and a plurality of extrusions may be employed along the periphery of the sheet material.
• Each extrusion has one or more hook formations 212 and these are engageable, when required, with corresponding formations at the upper edge of the wall 150 in order to attach the sheet material to the wall.
• the sheet material can be elevated either by using air as described or by hoisting a central section of the sheet material upwardly on the mast using a crank, crane or the like. Both techniques can of course be employed.
• FIG. 21 One application of the structure described, is in the erection of a reservoir.
• the walls 150 are deployed in the manner which has been described and an enclosure is formed.
• the enclosure is lined with a liner 220 of a stout plastics material, see for example Figure 21.
• the liner closely abuts an inner surface 150A, and extends over an upper end 150B, of each wall 150.
• At a lower end 150C of each wall two flaps 226, 228 respectively are used. These flaps serve two functions.
• an inner flap 226 which is pivotally attached to the wall 150 is movable to seal a gap 230 between the lower end 50C of the wall and the ground 222 and, in this way, the flap provides support for the liner as it moves from the ground to the wall.
• the flap 228 which is positioned on an opposing side of the wall is moved downwardly so that a lower end 232 digs into the ground 222 and provides support for the wall.
• encircling cables 244 can be located at spaced locations on an outer surface of the walls. These cables extend circumferentially around the walls and help to brace the walls when the reservoir is filled with water.
• the flaps 226, 228 are preferably attached with a hinge connection to a lower end 150C of each wall by means of a hinge pin 260 which is not solid but, instead, is in the form of a steel cable.
• a hinge pin 260 which is not solid but, instead, is in the form of a steel cable.
• the cable 260 which has not been distorted in any way, simply takes up its original elongate shape.
• the flaps 226, 228 are not materially affected and the walls have sufficient resilience to take up their substantially planar configurations.
• Figure 22 shows a container 270 from which four articulated walls 272, 274, 276 and 278 are deployed to form a bounded enclosure which is generally in the form of a pentagon.
• the four walls form four sides of the pentagon and the container forms a fifth side of the pentagon.
• Cables 280 stretch between opposing pairs of walls and are tied, directly, to respective edges of inner flaps 226 (of the kind described).
• a cover in the form of a roof is placed over the reservoir.
• the cover may be supported by cables or alternatively may have air-filled "bubbles" which allow the cover to float on a liquid which is introduced into the reservoir.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
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• 2013
  • 2013-11-20 SG SG11201503867WA patent/SG11201503867WA/en unknown
  • 2013-11-20 CA CA2891721A patent/CA2891721A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-11-20 US US14/646,129 patent/US9458623B2/en active Active
  • 2013-11-20 WO PCT/ZA2013/000087 patent/WO2014082104A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-11-20 CN CN201380070917.2A patent/CN105143568B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2013-11-20 EP EP13818177.1A patent/EP2923004A1/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-05-14 ZA ZA2015/03358A patent/ZA201503358B/en unknown

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